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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Civ on May 7, 2004, at 20:12:07
Has anyone here been diagnosed with epilepsy? I am starting to wonder if I have TLE. At times, I experience:
blank stare
depersonalization
sudden mood changes
I can also remember being like 12 or 13 years old and having several bouts of depersonalization so these symptoms were present long before I fell into a major anxiety and depression episode.
I also banged my head on a coffee table when I was 5 and required about 40 stitches on my forehead. Don't know if this counts as a head "injury" per se. Of course, one can have epilepsy with no known etiology, I believe.
Posted by Sad Panda on May 7, 2004, at 20:29:42
In reply to Epilepsy, posted by Civ on May 7, 2004, at 20:12:07
> Has anyone here been diagnosed with epilepsy? I am starting to wonder if I have TLE. At times, I experience:
>
> blank stare
>
> depersonalization
>
> sudden mood changes
>
> I can also remember being like 12 or 13 years old and having several bouts of depersonalization so these symptoms were present long before I fell into a major anxiety and depression episode.
>
> I also banged my head on a coffee table when I was 5 and required about 40 stitches on my forehead. Don't know if this counts as a head "injury" per se. Of course, one can have epilepsy with no known etiology, I believe.
>
>These could be symptoms of epilepsy & it may be worth getting tested for epilepsy if you think there is any possibility as this can help determine which direction to go in when drugs are chosen.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by snapper on May 7, 2004, at 23:16:38
In reply to Re: Epilepsy » Civ, posted by Sad Panda on May 7, 2004, at 20:29:42
Civ, do you happen to have OCD, I think in reading some posts a few weeks back, that you mentioned OCD. Could be wrong! I have OCD and have also complained of those same symptoms but do not have epilepsy.... Severe anxiety and depression can do some pretty amazing things to us-I have blank stares but I attribute those to my DEP and Anxiety--even so if you are really concerned, an EEG and CAT scan would be a safe bet
let us know
snapper
Posted by Civ on May 8, 2004, at 9:02:23
In reply to Re: Epilepsy, posted by snapper on May 7, 2004, at 23:16:38
> Civ, do you happen to have OCD, I think in reading some posts a few weeks back, that you mentioned OCD. Could be wrong! I have OCD and have also complained of those same symptoms but do not have epilepsy.... Severe anxiety and depression can do some pretty amazing things to us-I have blank stares but I attribute those to my DEP and Anxiety--even so if you are really concerned, an EEG and CAT scan would be a safe bet
> let us know
> snapperYes, you're right, I do have OCD. I will probably see a neurologist just to be sure. Thanks.
Posted by xjs7 on May 8, 2004, at 13:28:26
In reply to Epilepsy, posted by Civ on May 7, 2004, at 20:12:07
I have been diagnosed with epilepsy caused by a brain tumor. Surgery was effective and eliminated 90% of my seizures. Unfortunately the mental problems didn't go away, at least not yet.
What are you thinking when you have the blank stare? Do you know where you are, who you are, what you are doing, what you need to do? Part of TLE is a change in consciousness--not necessarily loss of consciousness.
Also, did you have any change in consciousness when you hit your head as a child? Were you admitted to the hospital?
Nothing you listed strongly suggests epilepsy to me. However, you might have omitted something that would.
xjs7
Posted by Civ on May 8, 2004, at 14:51:57
In reply to Re: Epilepsy, posted by xjs7 on May 8, 2004, at 13:28:26
> I have been diagnosed with epilepsy caused by a brain tumor. Surgery was effective and eliminated 90% of my seizures. Unfortunately the mental problems didn't go away, at least not yet.
Sorry to hear that. Hope you feel better soon!
>
> What are you thinking when you have the blank stare? Do you know where you are, who you are, what you are doing, what you need to do? Part of TLE is a change in consciousness--not necessarily loss of consciousness.Yes and no. When I feel "depersonalized," I don't know who I am and what I'm doing for a brief moment.
>
> Also, did you have any change in consciousness when you hit your head as a child? Were you admitted to the hospital?No, I was taken to the emergency room, stitched up, and came home. I don't think I had a true head injury.
>
> Nothing you listed strongly suggests epilepsy to me. However, you might have omitted something that would.
>
> xjs7I'll mention it to my pdoc and see what he says. It could just be depression.
Posted by xjs7 on May 8, 2004, at 17:26:29
In reply to Re: Epilepsy, posted by Civ on May 8, 2004, at 14:51:57
Hi Civ,
Thanks for your kind words. One other thing I forgot to mention is that people often have an intuition about these sort of things. If you feel that something is not right and doesn't quite match up with a mental illness diagnosis, there is a good chance that there is something else that is wrong.
I can't say whether or not you have epilepsy but I think you should definitely pursue a diagnosis for the "blank stares" and temporary confusion. If you feel strongly about this possibility, then request a referral to a neurologist and ask for an MRI and EEG. Whatever you do, don't go into denial like I did--it will just delay appropriate treatment. I wish you the best.
xjs7
This is the end of the thread.
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